European. Convention on the Adoption of Children

ADOPTION
This publication super-
No. 7 (1967) *,’
Cmnd 3350
Treaty Series No. 51 (1968)
European. Convention on the
Adoption of Children
Strasbourg, 24 April 1967
mhe United Kingdom ratification was dcposited on 21 December 1967 and the Convention
entered into force on 26 April 19681
Presenfed I O Parliainent b y the Secretary of Sfafe for Foreign Affairs
by Command of Her Majesty
July 1968
LONDON
H E R MAJESTY’S S T A T I O N E R Y O F F I C E
2s. jd. net
Cmnd. 3673
EUROPEAN CONVENTION
ON THE' ADOPTION OF CHILDREN
The member States of the. Council of Europe, signatory hereto,
Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater
unity between its Members for the purpose, among others. of facilitating
their social progress;
Considering that. although the institution of the adoption of children
exists in all member countries of the Council of Europe, there are in those
countries differing views as to the principles which should govern adoption
and differences in the procedure for effecting, and the legal consequences of,
adoption; and
Considering that the acceptance of common principles and practices with
respect to the adoption of children would. help to reduce the difficulties
caused by those differences and at the same time promote the welfare of
children who are adopted,
Have agreed as follows:
PART I
Undertakings and Field of Application
ARTICLE1
Each Contracting Party undertakes to ensure the conformity of its law
with the provisions of Part I1 of this Convention and to notify the Secretary
General of the Council of Europe of the measures taken for that purpose.
ARTICLE2
Each Contracting Party undertakes to give consideration to the provisions
set out in Part 111 of this Convention, and if it gives effect, or if. having
given effect, it ceases to give effect to any of these provisions. it shall notify
the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
ARTICLE3
This Convention applies only to legal adoption of a child who, at the
time when the adopter applies to adopt him. has not attained the age of 18.
is not and has not been married.$and is not deemed in law to have come
of age.
2
CONVENTION EUROPEENNE
EN M A d R E D'ADOPTION DES ENFANTS
Les Eta& membres du Conseil de I'Europe. signataires de la prbente
Convention,
Considerant que le but du Conseil de I'Europe est de realiser une union
plus ktroite entre ses Membres afin, notarnment. de favoriser leur pro&
social;
Considerant que. bien que I'institution de l'adoption des enfants existe
dam la legislation de tous les Etats rnembres du Conseil de I'Europe, il y a
dam ces pays des vues divergentes sur les principes qui devraient rkgir
I'adoption, ainsi que des differences quant B la procedure d'adoption et aux
effets juridiques de I'adoption:
Considerant que I'acceptation de principes communs et de pratiques
communes en ce qui concerne I'adoption des enfants contribuerait B aplanir
les difficult6s causees par ces divergences et permettrait en mfme temps
de promouvoir le bien des enfants qui sont adopt&.
Sont convenus de ce qui suit:
PARTIE 1
Engagements et champ d'application
ARTICLE1
Chaque Partie Contractante s'engage B assurer la conformit6 de sa
legislation aux dispositions de la Partie I1 de la presente Convention et B
notifier au Secretaire General du Conseil de I'Europe les mesures prises B
ce!te fin.
ARTICLE2
Chaque Partie Contractante s'engage i prendre en consideration les
dispositions enoncees dam la Panie 111 de la pr6sente Convention et si elle
donne effet, ou si. aprks avoir donne effet, elle cesse de donner effet B I'une
quelconque de ces dispositions, elle devra le notifier au Sicretaire G6nCral
du Conseil de I'Europe.
ARTICLE3
La presente Convention concerne uniquement I'institution juridique de
I'adoption d'un enfant qui. au moment ou I'adoptant demande i3 I'adopter,
n'a pas atteint I'ige de 18 ans, n'est pas ou n'a pas et6 marie, et n'est pas
reput.6 majeur.
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PART II
Essential Provisions
ARTICLE4
An adoption shall be valid only if it is granted by a judicial or
administrative authority (hereinafter referred to as “the competent authority”).
ARTICLE
5
1. Subject to paragraphs 2 to 4 of this Article. an adoption shall not be
granted unless at least the following consents to the adoption have been
given and not withdrawn:
(a) the consent of the mother and, where the child is legitimate. the
father; or if there is neither father nor mother to consent. the consent
of any person or body who may be entitled in their place to exercise
their parental rights in that respect;
(b) the wnsent of the spouse of the adopter.
2. The competent authority shall not:
(0) dispense with the consent of any person mentioned in :paragraph 1
of this Article, or
(b) overrule the refusal to consent of any person or body mentioned
in the said paragraph 1,
save on exceptional grounds determined by law.
3. If the father or mother is deprived of his or her parental rights in
respect of the child, or at least of the right to consent to an adoption, the
lawmay provide that it shall not be necessary to obtain his or her consent.
4. A mother’s consent to the adoption of her child shall not be accepted
unless it is given at such time after the birth of the child. not being less
than six weeks, as may be prescribed by law, or. if no such time has been
prescribed, at such time as, in the opinion of the competent authority, will
have enabled her to recover sufficiently from the effects of giving birth to
the child.
5. For the purposes of this Article “father” and “mother” mean the
persons who are according to law the parents of the child.
ARTICLE
6
1. The law shall not permit a child to be adopted except by either two
persons married to each other, whether they adopt simultaneously or
successively, or by one person.
2. The law shall not permit a child to be again adopted save in one
or more of the following circumstances :
(a) where the child is adopted by the spouse of.the adopter;
(b) where the former adopter has died;
(c) where the former adoption has been annulled;
(d) where the former adoption has come to an end.
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PARTIE I1
Dispositions weotielles
ARTICLE
4
L‘adoption n’est valable que si elle prononde par une autorite judiciaire
ou administrative ci-aprh appelee “ l’autorite comp6tente ”.
ARTICLE5
1. Sous reserve des paragraphes 2 B 4 du present article, l’adoption n’est
prononcee que si au moins les consentements suivants ont kt6 accord& et
n’ont pas kt6 retir6s:
(a) le consentement de la m&re et. lorsque I’enfant est legitime. celui du
$re. ou, s’il n’y a ni $re ni mere qui puisse consentir. le consentement
de toute personne ou de tout organisme qui serait habilitt 2 exercer
les droits parentaux h cet egard;
(b) le consentement du conjoint de l’adoptant.
2. I1 n’est pas permis B l’autorite competente:
(a) de se dispenser de recueillir le consentement de I’une des personnes
visees au paragraphe 1 ci-dessus. ou
(b) de passer outre au refus de consentement de l’une des personnes ou
de l’un des organismes vises audit paragraphe 1.
sinon pour des motifs exceptionnels determines par la legislation.
3. Si le @re ou la m&reest priv6 de ses droits parentaux envers I’enfant,
ou en tout cas du droit de consentir B I‘adoption. la I6gislation peut pr6voir
que son consentement ne sera pas requis.
4. Le consentement d‘une m h e B I‘adoption de son enfant ne sera
accept6 que s’il est donne apr&s la naissance. B l’expiration du delai prescrit
par la legislation et qui ne doit pas etre infkrieur B 6 semaines ou. s’il
n’est pas speCifi6 de de&. au moment ob, de I’avis de l’autorite competente.
la m h e aura pu se remettre sufiament des suites de I’accouchement.
5. Dans le present article, on entend par “ @ r e ” et “mbre” les
personnes qui sont ltgalement les parents de I’enfant.
ARTICLE
6
1. La legislation ne peut permettre I’adoption d’un enfant que par deux
personnes unies en mariage, qu’elles adoptent simultanement ou successivement, ou par un seul adoptant.
2. La legislation ne peut permettre une. nouvelle adoption d’un enfant
que dans l’un ou plusieurs des cas suivants:
(0) lorsqu’il s’agit d‘un enfant adoptif du conjoint de l’adoptant.
(b) lorsque le preddent adoptant est deC6de.
(c) lorsque la pdddente adoption est annulee.
(d)lorsque la pdddente adoption a pris fin.
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8832
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ARTICLE7
1. A child may be adopted only if the adopter has attained the
minimum age prescribed for the purpose, this age being neither less than
21 nor more than 35 years.
2. The law may. however, permit the requirement as to the minimum
age to be waived:
(a) when the adopter is the child's father or mother, or
(b) by reason of exceptional circumstances.
ARTICLE
8
1. The competent authority shall not grant an adoption unless it is
satisfied that the adoption will be in the interest of the child.
2. In each case the competent authority shall pay particular attention
to the importance of the adoption providing the child with a stable and
harmonious home.
3. As a general rule, the competent authority shall not be satisfied as
aforesaid if the difference in age between the adopter and the child is less
than the normal difference in age between parents and their children.
ARTICLE
9
1. The competent authority shall not grant an adoption until appropriate
enquiries have been made concerning the adopter, the child and his family.
2. The enquiries, to the extent appropriate in each case. shall concern.
infer alia, the following matters:
(a) the personality, health and means of the adopter, particulars of his
home and household and his ability to bring up the child;
I
(b) why the adopter wishes to adopt the child;
(c) where only one of two spouses of the same marriage applies to adopt
a child, why the other spouse does not join in the application;
(d) the mutual suitability of the child and the adopter, and the length of
time that the child has been in his care and possession;
(e) the personality and health of the child, and subject to any limitations
imposed by law, his antecedents;
(D the views of the child with respect to the proposed adoption;
(g) the religious persuasion, if any, of the adopter and of the child.
3. These enquiries shall be entrusted to a person or body recognised
for that purpose by law or by a judicial or administrative body. They shall,
as far as practicable, be made by social workers who are quali6ed in this
field as a result of either their training or their experience.
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ARTICLE
I
1. Un enfant ne peut Ctre adopt6 que si I'adoptant a atteint, l'ige
minimum prescrit B cette fin. cet ige n'ttant ni inftrieur B 21 ans, ni
supirieur i 35 ans.
2. Toutefois, la ltgislation peut prtvoir la possibilitt de dtroger B la
condition d'ige minimum :
(a) si l'adoptant est le ptre ou la mtre de l'enfant. ou
(a) en raison de circonstances exceptionnelles.
ARTICLE
8
1. L'autoritt compitente ne prononcera une adoption que si elle a
acquis la conviction que I'adoption assurera le bien de I'enfant.
2. Dans chaque cas, I'autoritt compt5tente attachera une particulibre
importance B ce que cette adoption procure i l'enfant un foyer stable et
harmonieux.
3. En rtgle ghtrale. I'autoritt compktente ne considtrera pas comme
remplies les conditions prtcitkes si la difftrence <Age entre l'adoptant et
I'enfant est inftrieure B celle qui stpare ordinairement les parents de leurs
enfants.
ARTICLE
9
1. L'autorit6 compttente ne prononcera une adoption qu'apres une
enquete approprite concemant I'adoptant, l'enfant et sa famille.
2. L'enquete devra, dans la mesure approprite B chaque cas, porter
notamment sur les tlements suivants:
(a) la personnalitt, la santt et la situation tconomique de l'adoptant. sa
vie de famille et I'installation de son foyer, son aptitude I? tduquer
I'enfant;
(b) les motifs pour lesquels I'adoptant souhaite adopter I'enfant:
(c) les motifs pour lesquels. au cas ob l'un seulement de deux tpoux
demande B adopter un enfant, le conjoint ne s'associe pas B la
demande:
(d) la convenance mutuelle entre I'enfant et I'adoptant, la d u k e de la
piriode pendant laquelle il a it6 contit B ses soins:
(e) la personnalit6 et la santt de I'enfant: sauf prohibition ICgale, les
anteddents de I'enfant:
(D le sentiment de i'enfant au sujet de I'adoption proposte;
(g) la religion de I'adoptant et la religion de l'enfant, s'il y a lieu.
3. Cette enqu&te devra etre confiie b une personne ou i un organisme
. reconnus par la loi ou agr6ts B cet effet par une autorit6 judiciaire ou
administrative. Elle devra. dans la mesure du possible, etre effectuie par des
travailleurs sociaux qualifies en ce domaine par leur formation ou par leur
expt5rience.
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8'
2
4. The provisions of this Article shall not affect the power or duty of
the competent authority to obtain any information or evidence, whether or
not within the scope of these enquiries. which it considers likely to be of
assistance.
ARTICLE 10
1. Adoption confers on the adopter in respect of the adopted person the
rights and obligations of every kind that a father or mother has in respect of
a child born in lawful wedlock.
Adoption confers on the adopted person in respect of the adopter the
rights and obligations of every kind that a child born in lawful wedlock
has in respect of his father or mother.
,
2. When the rights and obligations referred to in paragraph 1 of this
Article are created, any rights and obligations of the same kind existing
between the adopted person and his father or mother or any other person or
body shall cease to exist. Nevertheless, the law may provide that the spouse
of the adopter retains his rights and obligations in respect of the adopted
person if the latter is his legitimate, illegitimate or adopted child.
In addition the law may preserve the obligation of the parents to maintain
(in the sense of I'obligution dentretenir and I'obligution alimentuire) or set
up in life or provide a dowry for the adopted person if the adopter does
not discharge any such obligation.
3. As a general rule, means shall be provided to enable the adopted
person to acquire the surname of the adopter either in substitution for. or
in addition to, his own.
4. If the parent of a child horn in lawful wedlock has a right to the
enjoyment of that child's property, the adopter's right to the enjoyment of
the adopted person's property may, notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this
Article, be restricted by law.
5. In matters of succession. in so far as the law of succession gives a
child born in lawful wedlock a right to share in the estate of his father or
mother, an adopted child shall, for the like purposes, be treated as if he
were a child of the adopter born in lawful wedlock.
ARTICLE11
1. Where the adopted child does not have. in the case of an adoption
by one person. the same nationality as the adopter, or in the case of an
adoption by a married couple, their common nationality. the Contracting
Party of which the adopter or adopters are nationals shall facilitate
acquisition of its nationality by the child.
2. A loss of nationality which could result from an adoption shall be
conditional upon possession or acquisition of anotber nationality.
ARTICLE12
1. The number of children who may be adopted by an adopter shall not
be restricted by law.
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4. Les dispositions du pksent article n'affectent en rien le pouvoir et
I'obligation qu'a I'autorit6 competente de se procurer tous renseignements ou
preuves concernant ou non I'objet de l'enqutte, et qu'elle considbre c o m e
pouvant Ctre utiles.
ARTICLE
10
1. L'adoption confkre ?i I'adoptant ?i l'tgard de I'enfant adoptt les droits
et obligations de toute nature qui sont ceux d'un $re ou d'une mbre ?i regard
de son enfant 16gitime.
L'adoption confkre ?i l'adopt6 B I'tgard de I'adoptant les droits et
obligations de toute nature qui sont ceux d'un enfant legitime ?i l'tgard de
son pbre ou de sa mbre.
2. Dbs que naissent les droits et obligations vi& au paragraphe I du
prtsent article, les droits et obligations de mCme nature existant entre
I'adopt6 et son pbre ou sa mere ou tout autre personne ou organisme cessent
d'exister. Ntanmoins. la 16gislation peut pr6voir que le conjoint de l'adoptant
conserve ses droits et obligations envers I'adoptt si celui-ci est son enfant
legitime, illdgitime ou adoptif.
En outre, la ltgislation peut maintenir par les parents I'obligation
alimentaire envers I'enfant, l'obligation de I'entretenir, de l'ttablir et de le
doter pour le cas oh I'adoptant ne remplit pas une de ces obligations.
3. En rkgle gtndrale, l'adopt6 sera mis en mesure d'acqutrir le
patronyme de I'adoptant ou de I'ajouter ?i son propre patronyme.
4. Si un parent ltgitime a le droit de jouissance sur les biens de son
enfant, le droit de jouissance de I'adoptant sur les biens de l'adope peut,
nonobstant le paragraphe 1 du present article, Ctre limit4 par la Itgislation.
5. En matibre successorale, dans la mesure oh la ltgislation donne B
I'enfant I6gitime un droit dans la succession de son pbre ou de sa mbre,
I'enfant adoptt est trait6 B cet tgard de la mCme manikre que s'il ttait
I'enfant ldgitime de I'adoptant.
ARTICLE
11
1 . Si I'enfant adopt6 n'a pas, dans le cas d'adoption par une seule
personne, la nationalit6 de l'adoptant ou, dans le cas d'adoption par des
~ P O U X , leur commune nationalit6, la Partie Contractante dont l'adoptant ou
les adoptants sont ressortissants facilitera I'acquisition de sa nationalit6 par
I'enfant.
2. La perte de nationalit6 qui pourrait rtsulter de I'adoption est
subordonnte ?
la i
possession ou B l'acquisitinn d'une autre nationalit&.
ARTICLE
12
1. Lc nombre d'enfants que p u t adopter un mCme adoptant ne sera
pas limit6 par la ltgislation.
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2. A person who has, or is able to have, a child born in lawful
wedlock, shall not on that account be prohibited by law from adopting a
child.
3. If adoption improves the legal position of a child. a person shall
not be prohibited by law from adopting his own child not born in lawful
wedlock.
ARTICLE13
1. Before an adopted person comes of age the adoption may be revoked
only by a decision of a judicial or administrative authority on serious
grounds. and only if revocation on that ground is permitted by law.
2. The preceding paragraph shall not affect the case of:
(U) an adoption wkch is null and void;
(b) an adoption coming to an end where the adopted person becomes the
. legitimated child of the adopter.
ARTICLB14
When the enquiries made pursuant to Articles 8 and 9 of this Convention
relate to a person who lives or has lived in the territory of another
Contracting Party, that Contracting Party shall, if a request for information
is made, promptly endeavour to secure that the information requested is
provided. The authorities may communicate directly with each other for
this purpose.
ARTICLE15
Provision shall be made to prohibit any improper financial advantage
arising from a child being given up for adoption.
ARTICLE16
Each Contracting Party shall retain the option of adopting provisions
more favourable to the adopted child.
PART 111
Supplementary Provisions
ARTICLE17
An adoption shall not be granted until the child has been in the care
of the adopters for a period long enough to enable a reasonable estimate to
be made by the competent authority as to their future relations if the
adoption were granted.
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2. I1 ne pourra pas etre interdit par la ltgislation h une personne
d'adopter un enfant pour le motif qu'elle a. ou pourrait avoir, un enfant
Mgitime.
3. Si I'adoption ameliore la situation juridique. de l'enfant, il ne pourra
pas etre interdit par la Itgislation h une personne d'adopter son enfant
illtgitime.
L
ARTICLE13
1. Tant que I'adoptd n'est pas majeur. I'adoption ne peut Ctre revoquie
que par ddcision d'une autorit.6 judiciaire ou administrative pour motifs
graves et uniquement si la rtvocation pour de tels motifs est admise par la
legislation.
2. Le paragraphe precedent ne conceme pas les cas oh :
(U) l'adoption
est nulle,
(b) I'adoption prend fin par suite de la ltgitimation de I'adope par
I'adoptant.
ARTICLE14
Lorsque les enquPtes effectutes pour l'application des articles 8 et 9 de la
prtsente Convention se rapporteront h une personne qui rtside ou a rtsidt
sur le temtoire d'une autre Partie Contractante. cette Partie Contractante
devra s'efforcer d'obtenir que les renseignements ntcessaires qui lui sont
demandts soient foumis sans delai. Les autoritts peuvent communiquer
cet
i effet.
directement entre elles ?
ARTICLE15
Des dispositions seront prises pour prohiber tout gain injustifit provenant
de la remise d'un enfant en vue de son adoption.
ARTICLE16
Chacune des Parties Contractantes conserve la facule d'adopter des
dispositions plus favorables a l'enfant adoptt.
PARTIE I11
Dispositions mppl6mentaires
ARTICLE 17
L'adoption ne peut Ctre pronohcte que si I'enfant a et6 confit aux soins
des adoptants pendant une penode suffisammeut longue pour que l'autoritk
competente puisse raisonnablement apprkier les relations qui s'ttabliraient
entre eux si I'adoption ttait prononcLe.
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ARTICLE18
The public authorities shall ensure the promotion and proper functioning
of public or private agencies to which those who wish to adopt a child or
to 'cause a child to be adopted may go for help and advice.
ARTICLE19
'
The social and legal aspects of adoption shall be included in the
curriculum for the training of social workers.
ARTICLE20
1. Provision shall be made to enable an adoption to be completed
without disclosing to the child's family the identity of the adopter.
2. Provision shall be made to require or permit adoption proceedings to
take place in camera.
3. The adopter and the adopted person shall be able to obtain a
document which contains extracts from the public records attesting the fact,
date and place of birth of the adopted person, but not expressly revealing
the fact of adoption or the identity of his former parents.
4. Public records
reproduced in such a
legitimate interest from
if that is disclosed, the
shall be kept and, in any event, their contents
way as to prevent persons who do not have a
learning the fact that a person has been adopted or,
identity of his former parents.
PART IV
Final Clauses
ARTICLG 21
1. This Convention shall be open to signature by the member States of
the Council of Europe. I t shall be subject to ratification or acceptance.
Instruments of ratification or acceptance shall be deposited with the
Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
2. This Convention shall enter into force three months after the date of
the deposit of the third instrument of ratification or acceptance.(')
3. In respect of a signatory State ratifying or accepting subsequently,
the Convention shall come into force three months after the date of the
deposit of its instrument of ratification or acceptance.
ARTICLE22
1. After the entry into force of this Convention, the Committee of
Ministers of the Council of Europe may invite any non-member State to
accede thereto.
(I)
The Convention cntercd into force on 26 April 1968.
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ARTICLE18
Les Pouvoirs Publics veilleront a la promotion et au bon fonctiomement
d'istitutions publiques ou privkes auxquelles ceux qui dksirent adopter ou
faire adopter un enfant peuvent s'adresser en vue d'obtenir aide et conseil.
ARTICLE19
Les aspects sociaux et juridiques de l'adoption ligureront aux programmes
de formation des travailleurs sociaux.
ARTICLE20
1. Des dispositions seront prises pour qu'une adoption puisse. le cas
kchknt, intervenir sans que l'identitk de l'adoptant soit rkvklke a la famille
de I'enfant.
2. Des dispositions seront prises pour prescrire ou pour permettre que
la p r d d u r e d'adoption se dkroule a huis clos.
3. L'adoptant et I'adoptk pourront obtenir des documents extraits des
registres publics dont le contenu atteste le fait, la date et le lieu de la
naissance de I'adope. mais ne rkvkle pas expresskment l'adoption ni
I'identitk de ses parents d'origine.
4. Les registres publics seront tenus ou, a tout le moins. leurs
knonciations reproduites de telle manitke que les personnes qui n'y ont pas
un intLr6t legitime ne puissent apprendre le fait qu'une personne a ktk
adoptke, ou. si ce fait est connu. l'identitk de ses parents d'origine.
PARTIE IV
Clauses finales
ARTICLE21
1. La prksente Convention est ouverte B la signature des Etats membres
du Conseil de l'Europe. Elle sera ratifike ou acceptke. Les instruments de
ratification ou d'acceptation seront dkposks prks le Secrktaire Gknkral du
Conseil de l'Europe.
2. La Convention entrera en vigueur trois mois aprks la date du dkpat
du troisihne instrument de ratification ou d'acceptation.
3. Elle entrera en vigueur a I'Lgard de tout Etat signataire qui la
ratifiera ou l'acceptera ultkrieurement. trois mois a p r b la date du dkpat de
son instrument de ratification ou d'acceptation.
ARTICLE22
1. Apds l'entrke en vigueur de la prbente Convention, le Comitk des
Ministres du Conseil de l'Europe pourra inviter tout Etat non membre du
Conseil a adhkrer B la preSente. Convention.
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2. Such accession shall be effected by depositing with the Secretary
General of the Council of Europe an instrument of accession which shall
take effect three months after the date of its deposit.
ARTICLE23
1. Any Contracting Party may, at the time of signature or when
depositing its instrument of ratification. acceptance or accession. specify the
territory or territories to which this Convention shall apply.
2. Any Contracting Party may, when depositing its instrument of
ratification, acceptance or accession or at any later date. by declaration
addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, extend this
Convention to any other territory or territories specified in the declaration
and for whose international relations it is responsible or on whose behalf
it is authorised to give undertakings.
3. Any declaration made in pursuance of the preceding paragraph may.
in respect of any territory mentioned in such declaration. be withdrawn
according to the procedure laid down in Article 21 of this Convention.
ARTICLE24
1. Any Contracting Party whose law provides more than one form of
adoption shall have the right to apply the provisions of Article 10,
paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4, and Article 12, paragraphs 2 and 3. of this
Convention to one only of such forms.
2. The Contracting Party exercising this right, shall. at the time of
signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification. acceptance or
accession. or when making a declaration in accordance with paragraph 2 of
Article 23 of this Convention, notify the Secretary General of the Council
of Europe thereof and indicate the way in which it has been exercised.
3. Such Ccrtracting Party may terminate the exercise of this right and
shall give notiie thereof to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
ARTICLE25
1. Any Contracting Party may. at the time of signature or when
depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance or accession. or when
making a declaration in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 23 of this
Convention. make not more than two reservations in respect of the provisions
of Part I1 of the Convention.
Reservations of a general nature shall not be permitted; each reservation
may not affect more than one provision.
A reservation shall be valid for five years from the entry into force of
this Convention for the Contracting Party concerned. It may be renewed
for successive periods of five years by means of a declaration addressed to
the Secretary General of the Council of Europe before the expiration of each
period.
14
2. L'adhbion s'effectuera par le dipBt. prks le Secretaire G h t r a l du
Conseil de I'Europe. d'un instrument d'adhesion qui prendra effet trois mois
a p r h la date de son ddpBt.
ARTICLE
23
1. Toute Partie Contractante peut, au moment de la signature ou au
moment du dip& de son instrument de ratification, d'acceptation ou
d'adhesion, designer le ou les temtoires auxquels s'appliquera la prisentc
Convention.
2. Toute Partie Contractante peut, au moment du depBt de son
instrument de ratification, d'acceptation ou d'adhesion. ou h tout autre
moment par la suite, itendre I'application de la prisente Convention, par
dklaration adresske au Secretaire General du Conseil de I'Europe, 8 tout
autre territoire design6 dans la declaration et dont Elle assure l e relations
internationales ou pour lequel Elle est habilitie B stipuler.
3. Toute declaration faite en vertu du paragraphe pricident pourra
dans cette declaration.
aux conditions pevues par I'article 21 de la prksente Convention.
etre retiree. en ce qui concerne tout temtoire design6
ARTICLE
24
1. ,.ToUte Partie Contractante dont la legislation privoit plus d'une forme
d'adoption aura la facult6 de n'appliquer qu'8 une de ces formes les
dispositions des paragraphes I. 2. 3 et 4 de I'article IO de la prtsente
Convention, et des paragraphes 2 et 3 de I'article 12.
2. La Partie Contractante faisant usage de cette facult6 le notifiera au
Secretaire Gbneral du Conseil de I'Europe au moment de la signature ou au
moment du dip& de son instrument de ratification. d'acceptation ou
d'adhesion. ou Iorsqu'Elle fera une declaration conformement au paragraphe 2
de I'article 23 de la prQente Convention, et indiquera les modalitis de
I'exercice de cette faculte.
3. Cette Partie Contractante peut mettre fin 8 I'exercice de cette facult.6;
elle en avisera le Secretake General du Conseil de I'Europe.
ARTICLE
25
I. Toute Partie Contractante peut, au moment de la signature ou au
moment du depBt de son instrument de ratification, d'acceptation ou
d'adhtsion, ou encore Iorsqu'Elle fera une declaration conformement au
paragraphe 2 de I'article 23 de la prtsente Convention. formuler au maximum
deux reserves au sujet des dispositions de la Partie I1 de celle-ci.
Des reserves de caractkre g6nkral ne sont pas permises, chaque reserve
ne peut porter que sur une disposition.
Chaque reserve aura effet pendant cinq ans B partir de I'entrie en vigueur
de la presente Convention 21 I'kgard de la Partie considir6e. Elle pourra
Ctre renouvelee pour des periodes successive de cinq ans. au moyen d'une
declaration adresee avant I'expiration de chaque periode au Secr$taire
Gtntral du Conseil de I'Europe.
15
2. Any Contracting Party may wholly or partly withdraw a reservation
it has made in accordance with the foregoing paragraph by means of a
declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
which shall become effective as from the date of its receipt.
ARTICLE26
Each Contracting Party shall notify the Secretary General of the Council
of Europe-of the names and addresses of the authorities to which requests
under Article 14 may be addressed.
ARTICLE21
1.
This Convention shall remain in force indefinitely.
2. Any Contracting Party may, in so far as it is concerned, denounce this
Convention by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General
of the Council of Europe.
3. Such denunciation shall take effect six months after the date of
receipt by the Secretary General of such notification.
ARTICLE28
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member
States of the Council and any State which has acceded to this Convention of:
(a) any signature;
(b) any deposit of an instrument of ratification, acceptance or accession;
(c) any date of entry into force of, this Convention in accordance with
Article 21 thereof;
(4any notification received
in pursuance of the provisions of Article 1;
(e) any notification received in pursuance of the provisions of Article 2;
(f) any declaration received in pursuance of the provisions of paragraphs 2
and 3 of Article 23;
(g) any information received in pursuance of the provisions of paragraphs
2 and 3 of Article 24:
( h ) any reservation made in pursuance of the provisions of paragraph 1
of Article 25;
(I) the renewal of any reservation camed out in pursuance of the
provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 25;
(1) the withdrawal of any reservation camed out in pursuance of the
provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 25;
(k) any notification received in pursuance of the provisions of Article 26;
(0 any
notification received in pursuance of the provisions of Article 27
and the date on which denunciation takes effect.
16
2; Toute Partie Contractante peut retirer. en tout ou en partie. une
r&erve formulee par Elle en vertu du paragraphe precedent. au moyen d'une
declaration adressk au Secretake General du Conseil de I'Europe et qui
prendra effet la date de sa reception.
ARTICLE 26
Chaque Partie Contractante communiquera au Secrttaire General du
Conseil de I'Europe les noms et adresses des autonth auxquelles peuvent
&e transmises Ies demands prtvues par I'article 14.
ARTICLE
21
1. La presente Convention demeurera en vigueur sans limitation de
dude.
2. Toute Partie Contractante pourra, en ce qui la concerne dtnoncer la
prtsente Convention en adressant une notification au Secrttaire General du
Conseil de I'Europe.
3. La denonciation prendra effet six mois a p r h la date de la reception
de la notification par le Secrttaire Gineral.
ARTICLE
28
Le Secretaire General du Conseil de 1'Europe notifiera aux Etats
membres du Conseil et h tout Etat ayant adhere i la prtsente Convention:
( U ) toute signature;
(b) le dtpBt de tout instrument de ratification. &acceptation ou
d'adhtsion;
(c) toute date &entree en vigueur de la prksente Convention conformkment
h son article 21;
(d)toute notification r q u e en application des dispositions de I'article 1;
(e) toute notification r q u e en application des dispositions de l'article 2;
(0toute declaration reque en application des dispositions des paragraphes
2 et 3 de I'article 23;
(g) toute information r q u e en application des dispositions des
paragraphes 2 et 3 de I'article 24:
(h) toute rtserve formulte en application des dispositions du paragraphe 1
de I'article 25;
(1) le reuouvellement de toute reserve, effectue en application des
dispositions du paragraphe 1 de I'article 25;
(0 le retrait de toute reserve, effectut en application des dispositions du
paragraphe 2 de I'article 25;
(k) toute notilkation formulee en application des dispositions de
I'article 26;
(0 toute notification r e q e en application des dispositions de I'article 21
et la date i laquelle la dtnonciatiou prendra effet.
17
In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto.
have signed this Convention.
En foi de quoi, les soussign6s
dfiment autorises a cet effet. ont sign6
la prdsente Convention.
Done at Strasbourg, this 24th day
Strasbourg.
i
le 24 avril 1967
Fait ?
en franpis et en anglais. les deux
textes faisant 6galement foi, en un
seul exemplaiie qui sera d6posk dam
les archives du Conseil de 1'Europe.
Le Secdtaire Gdneral du Conseil de
I'Europe en communiquera copie
certifide conforme a chacun des Etats
signataires et adhkrents.
of April 1967. in English and in
French, both texts beiig equally
authoritative. in a single copy which
shall remain deposited in the archives
of the Council of Europe. The
Secretary General of the Council of
Europe shall transmit certified copies
to each of the signatory and acceding
States.
For the Government of the Republic
of Austria :
Pour le Gouvernement
Republique d'Autriche :
For the Government of the Kingdom
of Belgium :
Pour le Gouvernement du Royaume
de Belgique :
For the Government of the Republic
of Cyprus :
Pour le Gouvernement
Republique de Chypre:
18
de
de
la
la
Pour le Gouvernement du Royaume
de Danemark :
For the Government of the Kingdom
of Denmark :
MOGENS WARBERG
For the Government of the French
Pour le Gouvernement
Rkpublique franqaise:
Republic :
de
la
A. BETTENCOURT
Pour
For the Government of the Federal
le Gouvernement de la
Republique Federale d'Allemagne:
Republic of Germany:
GERHAFCD JAHN
Pour le Gouvernement du Royaume
de Gr&ce:
For the Government of the Kingdom
of Greece :
Strasbourg, le 19 Mai 1967
B. VITSAXIS(*)
(2) At the time of signature the Government of G
reece declared in pursuance of
Arlicle 25 of the Convention. that they would not apply the provisions of paragraphs
2 and 3 of Article 12.
19
For the Government of the Icelandic
Republic :
Pour le Gouvemement
Ripublique islandaise.:
For the Government of Ireland :
Pour le Gouvernement d'Irlande :
de
la
SEAN GAYNOR
25th January 1968
Pour le Gouvernement
Rkpublique italienne :
For the Government of the Italian
Republic :
de
la
GiORGIO OLIVA
Pour le Gouvemement du Grand
Duch6 de Luxembourg:
For the Government of the Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg:
P. GREGOIRE
20
For the Government of Malta:
Pour le Gouvernement de Malte:
-
PHILIP PULLICINO
For the Government of the Kingdom
of the Netherlands:
Pour le Gouvernement du Royaume
des Pays-Bas :
For the Government of the Kingdom
of N o h a y :
Pour le Gouvernement du Royaume
de N0rvkg.e :
Article 12. paragraph 3, will not be binding on Norway
OLE MYRVOLL
For the Government of the Kingdom
of Sweden :
... .
Pour le Gouvernement du Royaume
..de..Suhde:
GUNNAR LANGE
21
For the Government of the Swiss
Confederation :
For the Government of the Turkish
Republic :
Pour le Gouvernement
Confkdtration suisse:
d.e
Pour le Gouvernement
RCpuhlique turque:
de
.,
For the Government of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland :
.
,
la
la
.
Pour le Gouvernement du RoyaumcUni de Grande Bretagnc et
d'lrlande du Nord :
FRED MULLEY
RATIFICATIONS
Counfry
Republic of Irelandr) . . . . . .
Malta ...
...
...
...
United Kingdom
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Date of Deposif
25 January 1968
22 September 1967
21 December 1967
(9 When depositing their instrument of ratification, the Government of the Republic
of Ireland declared that, in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 of the
Convention, they would give effect to the provisions set out in Part 111 of the Convention.
Printed and published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office
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